Jane heads the Family team. She has over twenty years of experience in family work and is highly regarded in her field as an approachable professional, well-known for her rigorous but measured approach.
She is a family mediator and collaborative lawyer, and has specialist expertise in cases involving international law (including Sharia) and cases of financial complexity. Jane is ranked by both Chambers and the Legal 500 which recognise her as “sensible, unflappable and approachable”and that she “holds her own against the top firms”. Jane was made a fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers in 2019, recognising her as one of world’s most experienced and skilled family law specialists. She was also named in Spear’s Magazine’s Family Law Index 2020 as a Top Recommended Family Lawyer.
Jane is a member of the firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility group, actively supports the charity Voices in the Middle, and is a member of Family Mediators Association. She also volunteers for Caris Islington, a charity which provides bereavement counselling. Jane is regularly used as an expert on family and divorce law in the national newspapers.
“Jane McDonagh was quickly able to get a clear overview of our situation and throughout she gave calm and consistent advice. She was always keen to hear our view and how we wished to proceed but we were guided throughout by her professional opinion. I always felt reassured having spoken to her.” Legal 500, 2021
“Jane McDonagh is the consummate legal professional. She is completely calm and considered in what can often be a highly charged emotional situation.” Legal 500, 2021
“I have only great thoughts and words for Rhiannon Guibert and Jane McDonagh. They completely understood how difficult my situation was and tried their best to achieve the desired outcome.”
Legal 500, 2021
“Jane McDonagh is a fantastic head of department.” Legal 500, 2020“Sensible, unflappable and approachable & holds her own against the top firms.” Legal 500, 2019
“She is always clear in her advice and supportive when hard decisions need to be made. She is understanding, not only of the intricacies of the law, but also of the personal difficulties her clients face.” Chambers & Partners, 2021
“She’s accessible, empathetic and always discusses everything in advance.” Chambers & Partners, 2020
She was quite simply amazing. She got straight to the nub of things and was extremely sharp. Chambers & Partners, 2019
Her strengths are her intelligence and legal knowledge combined with her acute emotional intelligence. Chambers & Partners, 2018
Top recommended family lawyer “Distinguished Individual.”
The Spears’ 500, 2019Recommended family lawyer “Outstanding in Field.” The Spears’ 500, 2018
Legal 500, 2021She is always clear in her advice, and supportive when hard decisions need to be made.
Legal 500, 2021She is understanding, not only of the intricacies of the law, but also of the personal difficulties her clients face.
Chambers & Partners, 2021Jane is the consummate legal professional – completely calm and considered.
Chambers & Partners, 2021Jane is an immensely talented and personable legal counsel. She has helped me to navigate the tricky legal terrain with care and attention.
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Head of Family law, Partner Jane McDonagh has been featured in the Financial Times opinion section ‘Your Questions’.
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